Tampa International Airport set to launch new concessions program

Tampa International Airport is excited to announce the launch of its Airport Concessions Redevelopment Program, opening opportunities for new concepts in the airport’s retail, food and beverage, and customer service offerings.

The contract with the airport’s existing concessionaire, which dates back to the opening of the terminal in 1971, expires in 2015.

Plans call for making contracts available to multiple operators, a concessions model that has become popular among large airports in recent years. The program is expected to encourage more choices for passengers, more opportunities for local and small businesses, and increased revenue for the airport.

“By combining national brands with a local sense of place, we hope to really capture the spirit of Tampa Bay through this new concessions program,” said airport CEO Joe Lopano. “We are looking forward to exploring new ideas and creative business concepts, maintaining our mission of putting customers first and keeping Tampa International Airport thriving as one of the world’s best airports to shop, dine and relax.”

Operators will be able to bid on a variety of concessions packages of different sizes that include a mix of locations in the terminal and airsides. The entire package is worth about $1.3 billion in gross sales over 10 years.

Tampa International Airport will begin soliciting competitive proposals in spring of 2014 and awarding contracts by late 2014. By the end of 2015, airport visitors will begin to see new storefronts and restaurants opening.

“People who are traveling are always looking for great places to eat, shop and pass the time,” said John Tiliacos, Vice President of Operations at TPA. “We want to make sure the best of what the airport industry has to offer is available to them when they are at Tampa International Airport. Our new concessions program will guarantee that.”

A series of workshops hosted by the airport will cover the basics of operating a business in an airport environment, minority and small business requirements, and the solicitation process. The first is Oct. 22. The full schedule is as follows: